Organophotoreceptor with a charge transport material having two epoxidated-carbazolyl groups

ABSTRACT

Improved organophotoreceptor comprises an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element on the electrically conductive substrate, the photoconductive element comprising:
         (a) a charge transport material having the formula       

     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             where Y 1  and Y 7  comprise, each independently, a carbazolyl group; 
             X 1  and X 2 , each independently, are a bridging group; 
             E 1  and E 2 , comprise, each independently, an epoxy group; and 
             Z is a linking group; and 
             (b) a charge generating compound.
 
Organophotoreceptors with the charge transport material crosslinked to a polymeric binder are also described. Corresponding electrophotographic apparatuses and imaging methods are described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to organophotoreceptors suitable for use in electrophotography and, more specifically, to organophotoreceptors having a charge transport material comprising at least two epoxidated-carbazolyl groups. Each epoxy group in the epoxidated-carbazolyl groups may or may not be covalently bonded with a polymeric binder, directly or through a crosslinking compound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In electrophotography, an organophotoreceptor in the form of a plate, disk, sheet, belt, drum or the like having an electrically insulating photoconductive element on an electrically conductive substrate is imaged by first uniformly electrostatically charging the surface of the photoconductive layer, and then exposing the charged surface to a pattern of light. The light exposure selectively dissipates the charge in the illuminated areas where light strikes the surface, thereby forming a pattern of charged and uncharged areas, referred to as a latent image. A liquid or dry toner is then provided in the vicinity of the latent image, and toner droplets or particles deposit in the vicinity of either the charged or uncharged areas to create a toned image on the surface of the photoconductive layer. The resulting toned image can be transferred to a suitable ultimate or intermediate receiving surface, such as paper, or the photoconductive layer can operate as an ultimate receptor for the image. The imaging process can be repeated many times to complete a single image, for example, by overlaying images of distinct color components or effect shadow images, such as overlaying images of distinct colors to form a full color final image, and/or to reproduce additional images.

Both single layer and multilayer photoconductive elements have been used. In single layer embodiments, a charge transport material and charge generating material are combined with a polymeric binder and then deposited on the electrically conductive substrate. In multilayer embodiments, the charge transport material and charge generating material are present in the element in separate layers, each of which can optionally be combined with a polymeric binder, deposited on the electrically conductive substrate. Two arrangements are possible for a two-layer photoconductive element. In one two-layer arrangement (the “dual layer” arrangement), the charge-generating layer is deposited on the electrically conductive substrate and the charge transport layer is deposited on top of the charge generating layer. In an alternate two-layer arrangement (the “inverted dual layer” arrangement), the order of the charge transport layer and charge generating layer is reversed.

In both the single and multilayer photoconductive elements, the purpose of the charge generating material is to generate charge carriers (i.e., holes and/or electrons) upon exposure to light. The purpose of the charge transport material is to accept at least one type of these charge carriers and transport them through the charge transport layer in order to facilitate discharge of a surface charge on the photoconductive element. The charge transport material can be a charge transport compound, an electron transport compound, or a combination of both. When a charge transport compound is used, the charge transport compound accepts the hole carriers and transports them through the layer with the charge transport compound. When an electron transport compound is used, the electron transport compound accepts the electron carriers and transports them through the layer with the electron transport compound.

Organophotoreceptors may be used for both dry and liquid electrophotography. There are many differences between dry and liquid electrophotography. A significant difference is that a dry toner is used in dry electrophotography, whereas a liquid toner is used in liquid electrophotography. A potential advantage of liquid electrophotography is that it can provide a higher resolution and thus sharper images than dry electrophotography because liquid toner particles can be generally significantly smaller than dry toner particles. As a result of their smaller size, liquid toners are able to provide images of higher optical density than dry toners.

In both dry and liquid electrophotography, the charge transport material used for the organophotoreceptor should be compatible with the polymeric binder in the photoconductive element. The selection of a suitable polymeric binder for a particular charge transport material can place constraints on the formation of the photoconductive element. If the charge transport material is not compatible with the polymeric binder, the charge transport material may phase-separate or crystallize in the polymeric binder matrix, or may diffuse onto the surface of the layer containing the charge transport material. If such incompatibility occurs, the organophotoreceptor can cease to transport charges.

Furthermore, liquid electrophotography faces an additional issue. In particular, the organophotoreceptor for liquid electrophotography is in contact with the liquid carrier of a liquid toner while the toner dries or pending transfer to a receiving surface. As a result, the charge transport material in the photoconductive element may be removed by extraction by the liquid carrier. Over a long period of operation, the amount of the charge transport material removed by extraction may be significant and, therefore, detrimental to the performance of the organophotoreceptor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides organophotoreceptors having good electrostatic properties such as high V_(acc) and low V_(dis). This invention also provides charge transport materials having a high compatibility with the polymeric binder, reduced phase separation, and reduced extraction by liquid carriers.

In a first aspect, an organophotoreceptor comprises an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element on the electrically conductive substrate, the photoconductive element comprising:

(a) a charge transport material having the formula

where Y₁ and Y₂ comprise, each independently, a carbazolyl group;

X₁ and X₂, each independently, are a bridging group, such as a —(CH₂)_(m)— group, branched or linear, where m is an integer between 0 and 20, inclusive, and one or more of the methylene groups is optionally replaced by O, S, C═O, O═S═O, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, urethane, urea, an ester group, an amide group, an NR₃ group, or a CR₅R₆ group where R₃, R₅, and R₆ are, independently, H, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, an amino group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, or part of a ring;

E₁ and E₂ comprise, each independently, an epoxy group; and

Z is a linking group comprising a bond, a —CR₅═CR₆—)_(n)— group, a —CR₇═N— group, or an aromatic group, where R₅, R₆, and R₇ are, each independently, H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group, and n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and

(b) a charge generating compound.

The organophotoreceptor may be provided, for example, in the form of a plate, a flexible belt, a flexible disk, a sheet, a rigid drum, or a sheet around a rigid or compliant drum. In one embodiment, the organophotoreceptor includes: (a) a photoconductive element comprising the charge transport material, the charge generating compound, a second charge transport material, and a polymeric binder; and (b) the electrically conductive substrate.

In a second aspect, the invention features an electrophotographic imaging apparatus that comprises (a) a light imaging component; and (b) the above-described organophotoreceptor oriented to receive light from the light imaging component. The apparatus can further comprise a liquid toner dispenser. The method of electrophotographic imaging with photoreceptors containing the above noted charge transport materials is also described.

In a third aspect, the invention features an electrophotographic imaging process that includes (a) applying an electrical charge to a surface of the above-described organophotoreceptor; (b) imagewise exposing the surface of the organophotoreceptor to radiation to dissipate charge in selected areas and thereby form a pattern of at least relatively charged and uncharged areas on the surface; (c) contacting the surface with a toner, such as a liquid toner that includes a dispersion of colorant particles in an organic liquid, to create a toned image; and (d) transferring the toned image to a substrate.

In a fourth aspect, the invention features a charge transport material having the general formula above.

In a fifth aspect, the invention features a polymeric charge transport compound prepared by the reaction of a functional group in a polymeric binder with at least an epoxy group in a compound having the formula

where Y₁ and Y₂ comprise, each independently, a carbazolyl group;

X₁ and X₂, each independently, are a bridging group, such as a —(CH₂)_(m)— group, branched or linear, where m is an integer between 0 and 20, inclusive, and one or more of the methylene groups is optionally replaced by O, S, C═O, O═S═O, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, urethane, urea, an ester group, an amide group, an NR₃ group, or a CR₅R₆ group where R₃, R₅, and R₆ are, independently, H, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, an amino group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, or part of a ring;

E₁ and E₂ comprise, each independently, an epoxy group; and

Z is a linking group comprising a bond, a —CR₅═CR₆—)_(n)— group, a —CR₇═N— group, or an aromatic group, where R₅, R₆, and R₇ are, each independently, H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group, and n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive.

In a sixth aspect, the invention features an organophotoreceptor comprising an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element on the electrically conductive substrate, the photoconductive element comprising:

(a) the polymeric charge transport compound described above; and

(b) a charge generating compound.

In another embodiment, an organophotorecepror comprises a charge transport material wherein the charge transport material is selected from the group of compounds represented by the following formula

where R₈ and R₉ are, each independently, H, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, —CHO, a keto group, an amino group, cyano, nitro, a halogen, an alkoxyl group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an epoxy group, a thiiranyl group, an aziridino group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group.

The invention provides suitable charge transport materials for organophotoreceptors featuring a combination of good mechanical and electrostatic properties. These photoreceptors can be used successfully with liquid toners to produce high quality images. The high quality of the imaging system can be maintained after repeated cycling.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the particular embodiments thereof, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An organophotoreceptor as described herein has an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element comprising a charge generating compound and a charge transport material having at least two epoxidated-carbazolyl groups bonded through a linking group. Each epoxidated-carbazolyl group comprises an epoxy group and a carbazolyl group where the epoxy group, for example, can be bonded to the N atom of the carbazolyl group. These charge transport materials have desirable properties as evidenced by their performance in organophotoreceptors for electrophotography. In particular, the charge transport materials of this invention have high charge carrier mobilities and good compatibility with various binder materials, and possess excellent electrophotographic properties. The organophotoreceptors according to this invention generally have a high photosensitivity, a low residual potential, and a high stability with respect to cycle testing, crystallization, and organophotoreceptor bending and stretching. The organophotoreceptors are particularly useful in laser printers and the like as well as fax machines, photocopiers, scanners and other electronic devices based on electrophotography. The use of these charge transport materials is described in more detail below in the context of laser printer use, although their application in other devices operating by electrophotography can be generalized from the discussion below.

To produce high quality images, particularly after multiple cycles, it is desirable for the charge transport materials to form a homogeneous solution with the polymeric binder and remain approximately homogeneously distributed through the organophotoreceptor material during the cycling of the material. In addition, it is desirable to increase the amount of charge that the charge transport material can accept (indicated by a parameter known as the acceptance voltage or “V_(acc)”), and to reduce retention of that charge upon discharge (indicated by a parameter known as the discharge voltage or “V_(dis)”).

The charge transport materials can be classified as a charge transport compound or an electron transport compound. There are many charge transport compounds and electron transport compounds known in the art for electrophotography. Non-limiting examples of charge transport compounds include, for example, pyrazoline derivatives, fluorene derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, stilbene derivatives, enamine derivatives, enamine stilbene derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, carbazole hydrazone derivatives, (N,N-disubstituted)arylamines such as triaryl amines, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl pyrene, polyacenaphthylene, or multi-hydrazone compounds comprising at least two hydrazone groups and at least two groups selected from the group consisting of (N,N-disubstituted)arylamine such as triphenylamine and heterocycles such as carbazole, julolidine, phenothiazine, phenazine, phenoxazine, phenoxathiin, thiazole, oxazole, isoxazole, dibenzo(1,4)dioxin, thianthrene, imidazole, benzothiazole, benzotriazole, benzoxazole, benzimidazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, indole, indazole, pyrrole, purine, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazole, oxadiazole, tetrazole, thiadiazole, benzisoxazole, benzisothiazole, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, thiophene, thianaphthene, quinazoline, or cinnoline.

Non-limiting examples of electron transport compounds include, for example, bromoaniline, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitroxanthone, 2,4,8-trinitrothioxanthone, 2,6,8-trinitro-indeno[1,2-b]thiophene-4-one, and 1,3,7-trinitrodibenzo thiophene-5,5-dioxide, (2,3-diphenyl-1-indenylidene)malononitrile, 4H-thiopyran-1,1-dioxide and its derivatives such as 4-dicyanomethylene-2,6-diphenyl-4H-thiopyran-1,1-dioxide, 4-dicyanomethylene-2,6-di-m-tolyl-4H-thiopyran- 1,1 -dioxide, and unsymmetrically substituted 2,6-diaryl-4H-thiopyran- 1,1-dioxide such as 4H-1,1-dioxo-2-(p-isopropylphenyl)-6-phenyl-4-(dicyanomethylidene)thiopyran and 4H-1,1 -dioxo-2-(p-isopropylphenyl)-6-(2-thienyl)-4-(dicyanomethylidene)thiopyran, derivatives of phospha-2,5-cyclohexadiene, alkoxycarbonyl-9-fluorenylidene)malononitrile derivatives such as (4-n-butoxycarbonyl-9-fluorenylidene)malononitrile, (4-phenethoxycarbonyl-9-fluorenylidene)malononitrile, (4-carbitoxy-9-fluorenylidene)malononitrile, and diethyl(4-n-butoxycarbonyl-2,7-dinitro-9-fluorenylidene)-malonate, anthraquinodimethane derivatives such as 11,11,12,12-tetracyano-2-alkylanthraquinodimethane and 11,11-dicyano-12,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)anthraquinodimethane, anthrone derivatives such as 1-chloro-10-[bis(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]anthrone, 1,8-dichloro-10-[bis(ethoxy carbonyl) methylene]anthrone, 1,8-dihydroxy-10-[bis(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene]anthrone, and 1-cyano-10-[bis(ethoxycarbonyl)methylene)anthrone, 7-nitro-2-aza-9-fluorenylidene-malononitrile, diphenoquinone derivatives, benzoquinone derivatives, naphtoquinone derivatives, quinine derivatives, tetracyanoethylenecyanoethylene, 2,4,8-trinitro thioxantone, dinitrobenzene derivatives, dinitroanthracene derivatives, dinitroacridine derivatives, nitroanthraquinone derivatives, dinitroanthraquinone derivatives, succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, dibromo maleic anhydride, pyrene derivatives, carbazole derivatives, hydrazone derivatives, N,N-dialkylaniline derivatives, diphenylamine derivatives, triphenylamine derivatives, triphenylmethane derivatives, tetracyano quinoedimethane, 2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-dicyanomethylene fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitroxanthone derivatives, and 2,4,8-trinitrothioxanthone derivatives. In some embodiments of interest, the electron transport compound comprises an (alkoxycarbonyl-9-fluorenylidene)malononitrile derivative, such as (4-n-butoxycarbonyl-9-fluorenylidene)malononitrile.

Although there are many charge transport materials available, there is a need for other charge transport materials to meet the various requirements of particular electrophotography applications.

In electrophotography applications, a charge-generating compound within an organophotoreceptor absorbs light to form electron-hole pairs. These electrons and holes can be transported over an appropriate time frame under a large electric field to discharge locally a surface charge that is generating the field. The discharge of the field at a particular location results in a surface charge pattern that essentially matches the pattern drawn with the light. This charge pattern then can be used to guide toner deposition. The charge transport materials described herein are especially effective at transporting charge, and in particular holes from the electron-hole pairs formed by the charge generating compound. In some embodiments, a specific electron transport compound or charge transport compound can also be used along with the charge transport material of this invention.

The layer or layers of materials containing the charge generating compound and the charge transport materials are within an organophotoreceptor. To print a two dimensional image using the organophotoreceptor, the organophotoreceptor has a two dimensional surface for forming at least a portion of the image. The imaging process then continues by cycling the organophotoreceptor to complete the formation of the entire image and/or for the processing of subsequent images.

The organophotoreceptor may be provided in the form of a plate, a flexible belt, a disk, a rigid drum, a sheet around a rigid or compliant drum, or the like. The charge transport material can be in the same layer as the charge generating compound and/or in a different layer from the charge generating compound. Additional layers can be used also, as described further below.

In some embodiments, the organophotoreceptor material comprises, for example: (a) a charge transport layer comprising the charge transport material and a polymeric binder; (b) a charge generating layer comprising the charge generating compound and a polymeric binder; and (c) the electrically conductive substrate. The charge transport layer may be intermediate between the charge generating layer and the electrically conductive substrate. Alternatively, the charge generating layer may be intermediate between the charge transport layer and the electrically conductive substrate. In further embodiments, the organophotoreceptor material has a single layer with both a charge transport material and a charge generating compound within a polymeric binder.

The organophotoreceptors can be incorporated into an electrophotographic imaging apparatus, such as laser printers. In these devices, an image is formed from physical embodiments and converted to a light image that is scanned onto the organophotoreceptor to form a surface latent image. The surface latent image can be used to attract toner onto the surface of the organophotoreceptor, in which the toner image is the same or the negative of the light image projected onto the organophotoreceptor. The toner can be a liquid toner or a dry toner. The toner is subsequently transferred, from the surface of the organophotoreceptor, to a receiving surface, such as a sheet of paper. After the transfer of the toner, the surface is discharged, and the material is ready to cycle again. The imaging apparatus can further comprise, for example, a plurality of support rollers for transporting a paper receiving medium and/or for movement of the photoreceptor, a light imaging component with suitable optics to form the light image, a light source, such as a laser, a toner source and delivery system and an appropriate control system.

An electrophotographic imaging process generally can comprise (a) applying an electrical charge to a surface of the above-described organophotoreceptor; (b) imagewise exposing the surface of the organophotoreceptor to radiation to dissipate charge in selected areas and thereby form a pattern of charged and uncharged areas on the surface; (c) exposing the surface with a toner, such as a liquid toner that includes a dispersion of colorant particles in an organic liquid to create a toner image, to attract toner to the charged or discharged regions of the organophotoreceptor; and (d) transferring the toner image to a substrate.

As described herein, an organophotoreceptor comprises a charge transport material having the formula

where Y₁ and Y₂ comprise, each independently, a carbazolyl group;

X₁ and X₂, each independently, are a bridging group, such as a —(CH₂)_(m)— group, branched or linear, where m is an integer between 0 and 20, inclusive, and one or more of the methylene groups is optionally replaced by O, S, C═O, O═S═O, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, urethane, urea, an ester group, an amide group, an NR₃ group, or a CR₅R₆ group where R₃, R₅, and R₆ are, independently, H, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, an amino group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a hetero cyclic group, an aromatic group, or part of a ring;

E₁ and E₂ comprise, each independently, an epoxy group; and

Z is a linking group comprising a bond, a —(CR₅═CR₆—)_(n)— group, a —CR₇═N group, or an aromatic group, where R₅, R₆, and R₇ are, each independently, H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group, and n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive.

E₁ and E₂ each can be, independently, an oxiranyl ring.

An aromatic group can be any conjugated ring system containing 4n+2π-electrons. There are many criteria available for determining aromaticity. A widely employed criterion for the quantitative assessment of aromaticity is the resonance energy. In some embodiments, the resonance energy of the aromatic group is at least 10 KJ/mol. In further embodiments, the resonance energy of the aromatic group is greater than 0 KJ/mol. Aromatic groups may be classified as an aromatic heterocyclic group which contains at least a heteroatom in the 4n+2π-electron ring, or as an aryl group which does not contain a heteroatom in the 4n+2π-electron ring. Nonetheless, either the aromatic heterocyclic or the aryl group may have at least one heteroatom in a substituent attached to the 4n+2π-electron ring. Furthermore, either the aromatic heterocyclic or the aryl group may comprise a monocyclic or polycyclic (such as bicyclic, tricyclic, etc.) aromatic ring.

Non-limiting examples of the aromatic heterocyclic group are furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, carbazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, tetrazinyl, petazinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, acridinyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, anthyridinyl, purinyl, pteridinyl, alloxazinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, dibenzo(1,4)dioxinyl, thianthrenyl, and a combination thereof. The aromatic heterocyclic group may also include any combination of the above aromatic heterocyclic groups bonded together either by a bond (as in bicarbazolyl) or by a linking group (as in 1,6 di(10H-10-phenothiazinyl)hexane). The linking group may include an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, either an aliphatic group or an aromatic group within a linking group may comprise at least one heteroatom such as O, S, and N. Non-limiting examples of the aryl group are phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, or tolanyl group, sexiphenylene, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl, coronenyl, and tolanylphenyl. The aryl group may also include any combination of the above aryl groups bonded together either by a bond (as in biphenyl group) or by a linking group (as in stilbenyl, diphenyl sulfone, an arylamine group). The linking group may include an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, either an aliphatic group or an aromatic group within a linking group may comprise at least one heteroatom such as O, S, and N.

The term arylamine group includes an (N,N-disubstituted)arylamine group (e.g., diphenylamine, ethylphenylamine, and diethylamine group), a julolidinyl group, and a carbazolyl group.

Substitution is liberally allowed on the chemical groups to affect various physical effects on the properties of the compounds, such as mobility, sensitivity, solubility, compatibility, stability, and the like, as is known generally in the art. In the description of chemical substituents, there are certain practices common to the art that are reflected in the use of language. The term group indicates that the generically recited chemical entity (e.g., alkyl group, alkenyl group, aromatic group, epoxy group, arylamine group, etc.) may have any substituent thereon which is consistent with the bond structure of that group. For example, where the term ‘alkyl group’ is used, that term would not only include unsubstituted linear, branched and cyclic alkyls, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, dodecyl and the like, but also substituents having heteroatom such as 3-ethoxylpropyl, 4-(N-ethylamino)butyl, 3-hydroxypentyl, 2-thiolhexyl, 1,2,3-tribromoopropyl, and the like. However, as is consistent with such nomenclature, no substitution would be included within the term that would alter the fundamental bond structure of the underlying group. For example, where a phenyl group is recited, substitution such as 1-aminophenyl, 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl, 1,3,5-trithiophenyl, 1,3,5-trimethoxyphenyl and the like would be acceptable within the terminology, while substitution of 1,1,2,2,3,3-hexamethylphenyl would not be acceptable as that substitution would require the ring bond structure of the phenyl group to be altered to a non-aromatic form because of the substitution. When referring to an epoxy group, the substituent cited includes any substitution that does not destroy the 3-membered ring structure of the epoxy group. Where the term moiety is used, such as alkyl moiety or phenyl moiety, that terminology indicates that the chemical moiety is not substituted. When referring to an alkyl moiety, the term represents only an unsubstituted alkyl hydrocarbon group, whether branched, straight chain, or cyclic.

Organophotoreceptors

The organophotoreceptor may be, for example, in the form of a plate, a sheet, a flexible belt, a disk, a rigid drum, or a sheet around a rigid or compliant drum, with flexible belts and rigid drums generally being used in commercial embodiments. The organophotoreceptor may comprise, for example, an electrically conductive substrate and on the electrically conductive substrate a photoconductive element in the form of one or more layers. The photoconductive element can comprise both a charge transport material and a charge generating compound in a polymeric binder, which may or may not be in the same layer, as well as a second charge transport material such as a charge transport compound or an electron transport compound in some embodiments. For example, the charge transport material and the charge generating compound can be in a single layer. In other embodiments, however, the photoconductive element comprises a bilayer construction featuring a charge generating layer and a separate charge transport layer. The charge generating layer may be located intermediate between the electrically conductive substrate and the charge transport layer. Alternatively, the photoconductive element may have a structure in which the charge transport layer is intermediate between the electrically conductive substrate and the charge generating layer.

The electrically conductive substrate may be flexible, for example in the form of a flexible web or a belt, or inflexible, for example in the form of a drum. A drum can have a hollow cylindrical structure that provides for attachment of the drum to a drive that rotates the drum during the imaging process. Typically, a flexible electrically conductive substrate comprises an electrically insulating substrate and a thin layer of electrically conductive material onto which the photoconductive material is applied.

The electrically insulating substrate may be paper or a film forming polymer such as polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate), polyimide, polysulfone, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polycarbonate, polyvinyl resin, polyvinyl fluoride, polystyrene and the like. Specific examples of polymers for supporting substrates included, for example, polyethersulfone (STABAR™ S-100, available from ICI), polyvinyl fluoride (TEDLAR®, available from E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company), polybisphenol-A polycarbonate (MAKROFOL™, available from Mobay Chemical Company) and amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (MELINAR™, available from ICI Americas, Inc.). The electrically conductive materials may be graphite, dispersed carbon black, iodine, conductive polymers such as polypyrroles and CALGON® conductive polymer 261 (commercially available from Calgon Corporation, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.), metals such as aluminum, titanium, chromium, brass, gold, copper, palladium, nickel, or stainless steel, or metal oxide such as tin oxide or indium oxide. In embodiments of particular interest, the electrically conductive material is aluminum. Generally, the photoconductor substrate has a thickness adequate to provide the required mechanical stability. For example, flexible web substrates generally have a thickness from about 0.01 to about 1 mm, while drum substrates generally have a thickness from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm.

The charge generating compound is a material that is capable of absorbing light to generate charge carriers, such as a dye or pigment. Non-limiting examples of suitable charge generating compounds include, for example, metal-free phthalocyanines (e.g., ELA 8034 metal-free phthalocyanine available from H.W. Sands, Inc. or Sanyo Color Works, Ltd., CGM-X01), metal phthalocyanines such as titanium phthalocyanine, copper phthalocyanine, oxytitanium phthalocyanine (also referred to as titanyl oxyphthalocyanine, and including any crystalline phase or mixtures of crystalline phases that can act as a charge generating compound), hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, squarylium dyes and pigments, hydroxy-substituted squarylium pigments, perylimides, polynuclear quinones available from Allied Chemical Corporation under the trade name INDOFAST™ Double Scarlet, INDOFAST™ Violet Lake B, INDOFAST™ Brilliant Scarlet and INDOFAST™ Orange, quinacridones available from DuPont under the trade name MONASTRAL™ Red, MONASTRAL™ Violet and MONASTRAL™ Red Y, naphthalene 1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid derived pigments including the perinones, tetrabenzoporphyrins and tetranaphthaloporphyrins, indigo- and thioindigo dyes, benzothioxanthene-derivatives, perylene 3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid derived pigments, polyazo-pigments including bisazo-, trisazo- and tetrakisazo-pigments, polymethine dyes, dyes containing quinazoline groups, tertiary amines, amorphous selenium, selenium alloys such as selenium-tellurium, selenium-tellurium-arsenic and selenium-arsenic, cadmium sulphoselenide, cadmium selenide, cadmium sulphide, and mixtures thereof. For some embodiments, the charge generating compound comprises oxytitanium phthalocyanine (e.g., any phase thereof), hydroxygallium phthalocyanine or a combination thereof.

The photoconductive layer of this invention may optionally contain a second charge transport material which may be a charge transport compound, an electron transport compound, or a combination of both. Generally, any charge transport compound or electron transport compound known in the art can be used as the second charge transport material.

An electron transport compound and a UV light stabilizer can have a synergistic relationship for providing desired electron flow within the photoconductor. The presence of the UV light stabilizers alters the electron transport properties of the electron transport compounds to improve the electron transporting properties of the composite. UV light stabilizers can be ultraviolet light absorbers or ultraviolet light inhibitors that trap free radicals.

UV light absorbers can absorb ultraviolet radiation and dissipate it as heat. UV light inhibitors are thought to trap free radicals generated by the ultraviolet light and after trapping of the free radicals, subsequently to regenerate active stabilizer moieties with energy dissipation. In view of the synergistic relationship of the UV stabilizers with electron transport compounds, the particular advantages of the UV stabilizers may not be their UV stabilizing abilities, although the UV stabilizing ability may be further advantageous in reducing degradation of the organophotoreceptor over time. The improved synergistic performance of organophotoreceptors with layers comprising both an electron transport compound and a UV stabilizer are described further in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/425,333 (abandoned) filed on Apr. 28, 2003 to Zhu, entitled “Organophotoreceptor With A Light Stabilizer,” incorporated herein by reference.

Non-limiting examples of suitable light stabilizer include, for example, hindered trialkylamines such as TINUVIN® 144 and TINUVIN® 292 (from Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Terrytown, N.Y.), hindered alkoxydialkylamines such as TINUVIN® 123 (from Ciba Specialty Chemicals), benzotriazoles such as TINUVIN® 328, TINUVIN® 900 and TINUVIN® 928 (from Ciba Specialty Chemicals), beuzophenones such as SANDUVOR® 3041 (from Clariant Corp., Charlotte, N.C.), nickel compounds such as ARBESTAB™ (from Robinson Brothers Ltd, West Midlands, Great Britain), salicylates, cyanocinnamates, bexnylidene malonates, benzoates, oxanilides such as SANDUVOR® VSU (from Clariant Corp., Charlotte, N.C.), triazines such as CYAGARD™ UV-1164 (from Cytec Industries Inc., N.J.), polymeric sterically hindered amines such as LUCHEM™ (from Atochem North America, Buffalo, N.Y.). In some embodiments, the light stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of hindered trialkylamines having the following formula:

where R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ are, each independently, hydrogen, alkyl group, or ester, or ether group; and R₅, R₉, and R₁₄ are, each independently, alkyl group; and X is a linking group selected from the group consisting of —O—CO—(CH₂)—CO—O— where m is between 2 to 20.

Optionally, the photoconductive layer may comprise a crosslinking agent linking the charge transport compound and the binder. As is generally true for crosslinking agents in various contexts, the crosslinking agent comprises a plurality of functional groups or at least one functional group with the ability to exhibit multiple functionality. Specifically, a suitable crosslinking agent generally comprises at least one functional group that reacts with an epoxy group and at least one functional group that reacts with a functional group of the polymeric binder. Non-limiting examples of suitable functional groups for reacting with the epoxy group include hydroxyl, thiol, an amino group, carboxyl group, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the functional group of the crosslinking agent for reacting with the polymeric binder does not react significantly with the epoxy group. In general, a person of ordinary skill in the art can select the appropriate functional group of the crosslinking agent to react with the polymeric binder, or similarly, a person of ordinary skill in the art can select appropriate functional groups of the polymeric binder to react with the functional group of the crosslinking agent. Suitable functional groups of the crosslinking agent that do not react significantly with the epoxy group, at least under selected conditions, include, for example, epoxy groups, aldehydes and ketones. Suitable reactive binder functional groups for reacting with the aldehydes and ketones include, for example, amines.

In some embodiments, the crosslinking agent is a cyclic acid anhydride, which effectively is at least bifunctional. Non-limiting examples of suitable cyclic acid anhydrides include, for example, 1,8-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid anhydride, itaconic anhydride, glutaric anhydride and citraconic anhydride, fumaric anhydride, phthalic anhydride, isophthalic anhydride, and terephthalic anhydride with maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride being of particular interest.

The binder generally is capable of dispersing or dissolving the charge transport compound (in the case of the charge transport layer or a single layer construction) and/or the charge generating compound (in the case of the charge generating layer or a single layer construction). Examples of suitable binders for both the charge generating layer and charge transport layer generally include, for example, polystyrene-co-butadiene, polystyrene-co-acrylonitrile, modified acrylic polymers, polyvinyl acetate, styrene-alkyd resins, soya-alkyl resins, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonates, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, styrene polymers, polyvinyl butyral, alkyd resins, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polysulfones, polyethers, polyketones, phenoxy resins, epoxy resins, silicone resins, polysiloxanes, poly(hydroxyether) resins, polyhydroxystyrene resins, novolak, poly(phenylglycidyl ether)-co-dicyclopentadiene, copolymers of monomers used in the above-mentioned polymers, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the binder comprises a polymer with a reactive hydrogen functionality, such as hydroxyl, thiol, an amino group, carboxyl group, or a combination thereof, that can react with the epoxy ring of the charge transport compounds of this invention or with a functional group of a crosslinking agent, such as a cyclic acid anhydride. In the organophotoreceptor, the functional group of the polymer can be bonded directly with the epoxy group or indirectly through a co-reactive crosslinking agent, for example, a cyclic acid anhydride group, to form the corresponding and predictable reaction product. Suitable binders with reactive functionality include, for example, polyvinyl butyral, such as BX-1 and BX-5 form Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd., Japan.

Suitable optional additives for any one or more of the layers include, for example, antioxidants, coupling agents, dispersing agents, curing agents, surfactants, and combinations thereof.

The photoconductive element overall typically has a thickness from about 10 microns to about 45 microns. In the dual layer embodiments having a separate charge generating layer and a separate charge transport layer, charge generation layer generally has a thickness form about 0.5 microns to about 2 microns, and the charge transport layer has a thickness from about 5 microns to about 35 microns. In embodiments in which the charge transport material and the charge generating compound are in the same layer, the layer with the charge generating compound and the charge transport composition generally has a thickness from about 7 microns to about 30 microns. In embodiments with a distinct electron transport layer, the electron transport layer has an average thickness from about 0.5 microns to about 10 microns and in further embodiments from about 1 micron to about 3 microns. In general, an electron transport overcoat layer can increase mechanical abrasion resistance, increases resistance to carrier liquid and atmospheric moisture, and decreases degradation of the photoreceptor by corona gases. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of thickness within the explicit ranges above are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

Generally, for the organophotoreceptors described herein, the charge generation compound is in an amount from about 0.5 to about 25 weight percent, in further embodiments in an amount from about 1 to about 15 weight percent, and in other embodiments in an amount from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer. The charge transport material is in an amount from about 10 to about 80 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer, in further embodiments in an amount from about 35 to about 60 weight percent, and in other embodiments from about 45 to about 55 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer. The optional second charge transport material, when present, can be in an amount of at least about 2 weight percent, in other embodiments from about 2.5 to about 25 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer, and in further embodiments in an amount from about 4 to about 20 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer. The binder is in an amount from about 15 to about 80 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer, and in further embodiments in an amount from about 20 to about 75 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges within the explicit ranges of compositions are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

For the dual layer embodiments with a separate charge generating layer and a charge transport layer, the charge generation layer generally comprises a binder in an amount from about 10 to about 90 weight percent, in further embodiments from about 15 to about 80 weight percent and in some embodiments in an amount from about 20 to about 75 weight percent, based on the weight of the charge generation layer. The optional charge transport material in the charge generating layer, if present, generally can be in an amount of at least about 2.5 weight percent, in further embodiments from about 4 to about 30 weight percent and in other embodiments in an amount from about 10 to about 25 weight percent, based on the weight of the charge generating layer. The charge transport layer generally comprises a binder in an amount from about 20 weight percent to about 70 weight percent and in further embodiments in an amount from about 30 weight percent to about 50 weight percent. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of binder concentrations for the dual layer embodiments within the explicit ranges above are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

For the embodiments with a single layer having a charge generating compound and a charge transport material, the photoconductive layer generally comprises a binder, a charge transport material, and a charge generation compound. The charge generation compound can be in an amount from about 0.05 to about 25 weight percent and in further embodiment in an amount from about 2 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer. The charge transport material can be in an amount from about 10 to about 80 weight percent, in other embodiments from about 25 to about 65 weight percent, in additional embodiments from about 30 to about 60 weight percent and in further embodiments in an amount from about 35 to about 55 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer, with the remainder of the photoconductive layer comprising the binder, and optional additives, such as any conventional additives. A single layer with a charge transport composition and a charge generating compound generally comprises a binder in an amount from about 10 weight percent to about 75 weight percent, in other embodiments from about 20 weight percent to about 60 weight percent, and in further embodiments from about 25 weight percent to about 50 weight percent. Optionally, the layer with the charge generating compound and the charge transport material may comprise a second charge transport material. The optional second charge transport material, if present, generally can be in an amount of at least about 2.5 weight percent, in further embodiments from about 4 to about 30 weight percent and in other embodiments in an amount from about 10 to about 25 weight percent, based on the weight of the photoconductive layer. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional composition ranges within the explicit compositions ranges for the layers above are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

In general, any layer with an electron transport compound can advantageously further include a UV light stabilizer. In particular, the electron transport layer generally can comprise an electron transport compound, a binder, and an optional UV light stabilizer. An overcoat layer comprising an electron transport compound is described further in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/396,536, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,693, to Zhu et al. entitled, “Organophotoreceptor With An Electron Transport Layer,” incorporated herein by reference. For example, an electron transport compound as described above may be used in the release layer of the photoconductors described herein. The electron transport compound in an electron transport layer can be in an amount from about 10 to about 50 weight percent, and in other embodiments in an amount from about 20 to about 40 weight percent, based an the weight of the electron transport layer. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of compositions within the explicit ranges are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

The UV light stabilizer, if present, in any one or more appropriate layers of the photoconductor generally is in an amount from about 0.5 to about 25 weight percent and in some embodiments in an amount from about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the particular layer. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of compositions within the explicit ranges are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

For example, the photoconductive layer may be formed by dispersing or dissolving the components, such as one or more of a charge generating compound, the charge transport material of this invention, a second charge transport material such as a charge transport compound or an electron transport compound, a UV light stabilizer, and a polymeric binder in organic solvent, coating the dispersion and/or solution on the respective underlying layer and drying the coating. In particular, the components can be dispersed by high shear homogenization, ball-milling, attritor milling, high energy bead (sand) milling or other size reduction processes or mixing means known in the art for effecting particle size reduction in forming a dispersion.

The photoreceptor may optionally have one or more additional layers as well. An additional layer can be, for example, a sub-layer or an overcoat layer, such as a barrier layer, a release layer, a protective layer, or an adhesive layer. A release layer or a protective layer may form the uppermost layer of the photoconductor element. A barrier layer may be sandwiched between the release layer and the photoconductive element or used to overcoat the photoconductive element. The barrier layer provides protection from abrasion to the underlayers. An adhesive layer locates and improves the adhesion between a photoconductive element, a barrier layer and a release layer, or any combination thereof. A sub-layer is a charge blocking layer and locates between the electrically conductive substrate and the photoconductive element. The sub-layer may also improve the adhesion between the electrically conductive substrate and the photoconductive element.

Suitable barrier layers include, for example, coatings such as crosslinkable siloxanol-colloidal silica coating and hydroxylated silsesquioxane-colloidal silica coating, and organic binders such as polyvinyl alcohol, methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer, casein, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, gelatin, starch, polyurethanes, polyimides, polyesters, polyamides, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonates, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl acetoacetal, polyvinyl formal, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylates, polyvinyl carbazoles, copolymers of monomers used in the above-mentioned polymers, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol terpolymers, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate/maleic acid terpolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride copolymers, cellulose polymers, and mixtures thereof. The above barrier layer polymers optionally may contain small inorganic particles such as fuimed silica, silica, titania, alumina, zirconia, or a combination thereof. Barrier layers are described further in U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,522 to Woo et al., entitled “Barrier Layer For Photoconductor Elements Comprising An Organic Polymer And Silica,” incorporated herein by reference. The release layer topcoat may comprise any release layer composition known in the art. In some embodiments, the release layer is a fluorinated polymer, siloxane polymer, fluorosilicone polymer, silane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylate, or a combination thereof. The release layers can comprise crosslinked polymers.

The release layer may comprise, for example, any release layer composition known in the art. In some embodiments, the release layer comprises a fluorinated polymer, siloxane polymer, fluorosilicone polymer, polysilane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylate, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), urethane resins, urethane-epoxy resins, acrylated-urethane resins, urethane-acrylic resins, or a combination thereof. In further embodiments, the release layers comprise crosslinked polymers.

The protective layer can protect the organophotoreceptor from chemical and mechanical degradation. The protective layer may comprise any protective layer composition known in the art. In some embodiments, the protective layer is a fluorinated polymer, siloxane polymer, fluorosilicone polymer, polysilane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylate, poly(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), urethane resins, urethane-epoxy resins, acrylated-urethane resins, urethane-acrylic resins, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of particular interest, the release layers are crosslinked polymers.

An overcoat layer may comprise an electron transport compound as described further in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/396,536, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,693, filed on Mar. 25, 2003 to Thu et al. entitled, “Organoreceptor With An Electron Transport Layer,” incorporated herein by reference. For example, an electron transport compound, as described above, may be used in the release layer of this invention. The electron transport compound in the overcoat layer can be in an amount from about 2 to about 50 weight percent, and in other embodiments in an amount from about 10 to about 40 weight percent, based on the weight of the release layer. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of composition within the explicit ranges are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

Generally, adhesive layers comprise a film forming polymer, such as polyester, polyvinylbutyral, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, poly(hydroxy amino ether) and the like. Barrier and adhesive layers are described further in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,305 to Ackley et al., entitled “Organic Photoreceptors for Liquid Electrophotography,” incorporated herein by reference.

Sub-layers can comprise, for example, polyvinylbutyral, organosilanes, hydrolyzable silanes, epoxy resins, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and the like. In some embodiments, the sub-layer has a dry thickness between about 20 Angstroms and about 2,000 Angstroms. Sublayers containing metal oxide conductive particles can be between about 1 and about 25 microns thick. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional ranges of compositions and thickness within the explicit ranges are contemplated and are within the present disclosure.

The charge transport materials as described herein, and photoreceptors including these compounds, are suitable for use in an imaging process with either dry or liquid toner development. For example, any dry toners and liquid toners known in the art may be used in the process and the apparatus of this invention. Liquid toner development can be desirable because it offers the advantages of providing higher resolution images and requiring lower energy for image fixing compared to dry toners. Examples of suitable liquid toners are known in the art. Liquid toners generally comprise toner particles dispersed in a carrier liquid. The toner particles can comprise a colorant/pigment, a resin binder, and/or a charge director. In some embodiments of liquid toner, a resin to pigment ratio can be from 1:1 to 10:1, and in other embodiments, from 4:1 to 8:1. Liquid toners are described further in Published U.S. Patent Applications 2002/0128349, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,098,265, entitled “Liquid Inks Comprising A Stable Organosol,” and 2002/0086916, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,358, entitled “Liquid Inks Comprising Treated Colorant Particles,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,316, entitled “Phase Change Developer For Liquid Electrophotography,” all three of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Charge Transport Material

As described herein, an organophotoreceptor comprises a charge transport material having the formula

where Y₁ and Y₂ comprise, each independently, a carbazolyl group;

X₁ and X₂, each independently, are a bridging group, such as a —(CH₂)_(m)— group, branched or linear, where m is an integer between 0 and 20, inclusive, and one or more of the methylene groups is optionally replaced by O, S, C═O, O═S═O, a heterocyclic group, an aromatic group, urethane, urea, an ester group, an amide group, an NR₃ group, or a CR₅R₆ group where R₃, R₅, and R₆ are, independently, H, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, an amino group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a hetero cyclic group, an aromatic group, or part of a ring;

E₁ and E₂ comprise, each independently, an epoxy group; and

Z is a linking group comprising a bond, a —(CR₅═CR₆—)_(n)— group, a —CR₇═N— group, or an aromatic group, where R₅, R₆, and R₇ are, each independently, H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyc lie group, or an aromatic group, and n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive.

E₁ and E₂ each can be, independently, an oxiranyl ring.

In another embodiment, an organophotoreceptor comprises a charge transport material wherein the charge transport material is selected from the group of compounds represented by the following formula

where R₈ and R₉ are, each independently, H, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl, —CHO, a keto group, an amino group, cyano, nitro, a halogen, an alkoxyl group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an epoxy group, a thiiranyl group, an aziridino group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group.

Specific, non-limiting examples of suitable charge transport materials within the general Formula (1) of the present invention have the following structures:

Synthesis of Charge Transport Materials

The synthesis of the charge transport materials of this invention can be prepared by the following multi-step synthetic procedure, although other suitable procedures can be used by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure herein.

The first step is the reaction of a carbazole compound with an organic halide comprising an epoxy group in the presence of an alkaline to form the corresponding carbazole compound having an N-substituent comprising an epoxy group. Non-limiting examples of suitable organic halide comprising an epoxy group for this invention are epihalohydrins, such as epichlorohydrin. The organic halide comprising an epoxy group may also be prepared by the epoxidation reaction of the corresponding organic halide having an olefin group. In this approach, desired bridging groups X₁ and X2 can be incorporated into the molecule. The epoxidation reaction is described in Carey et al., “Advanced Organic Chemistry, Part B: Reactions and Synthesis,” New York, 1983, pp. 494-498, incorporated herein by reference. The organic halide having an olefin group may be prepared by the Wittig reaction between a suitable organic halide having an aldehyde or keto group and a suitable Wittig reagent. The Wittig and related reactions are described in Carey et al., “Advanced Organic Chemistry, Part B: Reactions and Synthesis,” New York, 1983, pp. 69-77, incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, an epoxy modification can be placed at other positions around the carbazole ring by the placement around the carbazole ring of a suitable functional group, such as hydroxyl, thiol, and an amino group, that can undergo a suitable substitution reaction with an organic halide comprising an epoxy group.

The second step is the coupling reaction of two carbazole compounds having an N-substituent comprising an epoxy group in the presence of anhydrous ferric chloride at room temperature, followed by the treatment with potassium hydroxide. The two carbazole compounds having an N-substituent comprising an epoxy group may be the same or different. Furthermore, one of the carbazole compounds having an N-substituent comprising an epoxy group may contain an aldehyde or keto substituent in the aryl ring. Such aldehyde or keto substituent may react with an NH₂ group in another carbazole compound having an N-substituent comprising an epoxy group to form a charge transport material of this invention having a —CR₇═N— linking group where R₇ is H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group. The aldehyde or keto substituent may also react with a phosphorus ylide group (that is a Wittig reaction) in another carbazole compound having an N-substituent comprising an epoxy group to form a charge transport material of this invention having a —CR₅═CR₆— linking group where R₅ and R₆ are, each independently, H, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a heterocyclic group, or an aromatic group.

As noted above, the epoxy groups can be reacted with functional groups of a polymer binder directly or through a crosslinking agent. The reactions of epoxy groups with appropriate functional groups are described further in C. A. May, editor, “Epoxy Resins Chemistry And Technology,” (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1988) and in B. Ellis, editor, “Chemistry And Technology Of Epoxy Resins,” (Blackie Academic And Professional, London, 1993), both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In general, the charge transport compound is combined with the binder and any other components of the particular layer of the organophotoreceptor for forming the particular layer. If a crosslinking agent is used, it may be desirable to react the crosslinking agent first with either the charge transport compound or the polymer binder before combining the other ingredients. A person of ordinary skill in the art can evaluate the appropriate reaction order, such as combining all of the components at one time or sequentially, for forming the layer with desired properties.

The invention will now be described further by way of the following examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis And Characterization Charge Transport Materials

This example described the synthesis and characterization of Compound (2) in which the numbers refer to formula numbers above. The characterization involves chemical characterization, while the electronic characterization of materials formed with the compound are described in subsequent examples.

Compound (2)

9-(2,3-Epoxypropyl)carbazole (2.2 g, 0.01 mol, obtained from “Biolar”, Rupnicu str. 3, Olaine LV-2114, Latvia; Phone: +371 7964101, Fax: +371 7966555) was dissolved in 80 ml of chloroform, which was followed by the addition of anhydrous ferric chloride (FeCl₃, 6.5 g, 0.04 mol, obtained from Aldrich) to the chloroform solution. The reaction mixture was intensively stirred under an argon atmosphere at room temperature until 9-(2,3-epoxypropyl)carbazole disappeared (in approximately 20 minutes), as indicated by thin layer chromatography with a mixture of acetone and hexane in a ratio of 7:18 by volume as the eluant. After the reaction was terminated, the reaction mixture was diluted with 150 ml of acetone, treated with 250 ml of ethyl acetate, and washed three times with 100 ml of 0.5 M hydrochloride solution. Then, the mixture was washed with distilled water until the washed water reached a neutral pH. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄), treated with activated charcoal, and filtered. The solvents were evaporated, and the crude product was recrystallized from toluene. The yield was 2.07 g (80.4%). The product was 9-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl)-3,3′-bicarbazole and had a melting point of 152-153° C. (recrystallized from toluene). The product was characterized by the following IR absorption peaks (with KBr windows, in cm⁻¹): 3642-3071 (OH), 3042, 3028 (aromatic CH); and 2942, 2914 (aliphatic CH). The ¹H NMR spectrum (250 MHz) of the product in CDCl₃ was characterized by the following chemical shifts (δ, ppm): 8.37 (s, 2H, 5-H_(Ht)); 8.17 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H, 4-H_(Ht)); 7.80 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H, 6-H_(Ht)); 7.70-7.1 (m, 8H, Ht); 4.46 (m, 6H, NCH₂, CHOH); 3.73-3.63 (dd, 2H, one of CH₂Cl protons, H_(A), J_(AX)=5.0 Hz, J_(AB)=11.4 Hz); 3.63-3.53 (dd, 2H, another of CH₂Cl protons, H_(B), J_(BX)=4.6 Hz); and 2.40 (s, 2H, OH). An elemental analysis yielded the following results in weight percent: C 69.52; H 5.11; N 5.43, which compared with calculated values for C₃₀H₂₄N₂O₂ in weight percent: C 69.64; H 5.06; N 5.41.

9-(3-Chloro-2-hydroxypopyl)-3,3′-bicarbazole (3.0 g, 5.8 mmol) was dissolved in 60 ml of 1,4-dioxane, which was followed by the addition of powdered potassium hydroxide (2.3 g, 34.8 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred intensively for 30 minutes until 9-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypopyl)-3,3′-bicarbazole disappeared, as indicated by thin layer chromatography with a mixture of acetone and hexane in a ratio of 7:18 by volume as the eluant. After the termination of the reaction, the mixture was filtered to remove unreacted solids. The organic phase was treated with ethyl acetate and washed with distilled water until the washed water reached a neutral pH. The organic phase after washing was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, and then the solvent was removed by evaporation. The crude Compound (2) was recrystallized from toluene. The yield was 2.1 g (81.4%). The melting point was found to be 173.5-175.5° C. The product was characterized by the following IR absorption peaks (with KBr windows, in cm⁻¹): 3071, 3042 (aromatic CH); 2971, 2942 (aliphatic CH); and 1256, 1218, 855, 801, 794 (epoxy ring). The ¹H NMR spectrum (250 MHz) of the product in CDCl₃ was characterized by the following chemical shifts (δ, ppm): 8.39 (s, 2H, 5-H_(Ht)); 8.17 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2H, 4-H_(Ht)); 7.82 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H, 6-H_(Ht)); 7.70-7.1 (m, 8H, Ht); 4.70-4.60 (dd, 2H, one of NCH₂ protons, H_(A), J_(AX)=3.2 Hz, J_(AB)=15.8 Hz); 4.50-4.33 (dd, 2H, another of NCH₂ protons, H_(B), J_(BX)=4.7 Hz); 3.38 (m, 2H, CH); 2.82 (dd, 2H, one of OCH₂ protons, H_(A), J_(AX)=4.3 Hz, J_(AB)=4.8 Hz); and 2.65-2.55 (dd, 2H another of OCH₂ protons, H_(B), J_(BX)=2.7 Hz). An elemental analysis yielded the following results in weight percent: C 80.89; H 5.48; N 6.11, which compared with the following calculated values for C₃₀H₂₄N₂O₂ in weight percent: C 81.06; H 5.44; N 6.03.

Compound (3)

Compound (3) may be prepared according to the following procedure. A mixture of potassium hydroxide powder (KOH, 85%, 198 g, 3 mol) and anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄, 51 g, 0.369 mol) is added in three stages to a mixture of 3-chloro-9H-carbazole (1 mol) and epichlorohydrin (1.5 mol), while keeping the reaction mixture at 20-25° C. The 3 stage quantities added are 33 g of Na₂SO₄ and 66 g of KOH initially; 9.9 g of Na₂SO₄ and 66 g of KOH after 1 hour of reaction; and 9.9 g of Na₂SO₄ and 66 g of KOH after 2 hours of reaction. The reaction mixture is stirred vigorously at 35-40° C. until 3-chloro-9H-carbazole disappears (approximately 3-4 hours). Subsequently, the mixture is cooled to room temperature, and any remaining solids are removed by filtration. The liquid organic phase is treated with a solvent such as diethyl ether and washed with distilled water until the washed water reaches a neutral pH. The organic layer is dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, treated with activated charcoal, and filtered. The solvent and excess epichlorohydrin are removed by evaporation in a rotory evaporator. The residue is purified by recrystallization, chromatography, or a combination of both to produce 3-chloro-9-(2,3-epoxypropyl)carbazole.

Compound (3) is prepared similarly according to the procedure for Compound (2) except that 3-chloro-9-(2,3-epoxypropyl)carbazole replaces 9-(2,3-epoxypropyl)carbazole.

Example 2 Charge Mobility Measurements

This example describes the measurement of charge mobility for charge transport materials, such as Compound (2) as described above.

Sample 1

A mixture of 0.1 g of the Compound (2) and 0.1 g of polyvinylbutyral (S-LEC B BX-1, obtained from Sekisui) was dissolved in 2 ml of tetrahydrofuran (THF). The solution was coated on the polyester film with conductive aluminum layer by the dip roller method. After drying for 1 hour at 80° C., a clear 10 μm thick layer was formed. The hole mobility of the sample was measured and the results are presented in Table 1.

Mobility Measurements

Each sample was corona charged positively up to a surface potential U and illuminated with 2 ns long nitrogen laser light pulse. The hole mobility p was determined as described in Kalade et al., “Investigation of charge carrier transfer in electrophotographic layers of chalkogenide glasses,” Proceeding IPCS 1994: The Physics and Chemistry of Imaging Systems, Rochester, N.Y., pp. 747-752, incorporated herein by reference. The hole mobility measurement was repeated with changes to the charging regime to charge the sample to different U values, which corresponded to different electric field strength, E, inside the layer. This dependence on electric field strength was approximated by the formula μ=μ₀e^(α√{square root over (E)}). Here E is electric field strength, μ₀ is the zero field mobility and α is Pool-Frenkel parameter. Table 1 lists the mobility characterizing parameters μ₀ and α values and the mobility value at the 6.4×10⁵ V/cm field strength as determined from these measurements.

TABLE 1 Ionization μ₀ μ (cm²/V · s) Potential Sample (cm²/V · s) at 6.4 · 10⁵ V/cm α (cm/V)^(0.5) (eV) Sample 1 6.2 · 10⁻⁹ 5.4 · 10⁻⁷ 0.0056 5.54 [Com- pound (2)]

Example 3 Ionization Potential Measurements

This example describes the measurement of the ionization potential for the charge transport materials such as Compound (2) described in Example 1.

To perform the ionization potential measurements, a thin layer of charge transport material about 0.5 μm thickness was coated from a solution of 2 mg of charge transport material in 0.2 ml of tetrahydrofuran on a 20 cm² substrate surface. The substrate was an aluminized polyester film coated with a 0.4 μm thick methylcellulose sub-layer.

Ionization potential was measured as described in Grigalevicius et al., “3,6-Di(N-diphenylamino)-9-phenylcarbazole and its methyl-substituted derivative as novel hole-transporting amorphous molecular materials,” Synthetic Metals 128 (2002), p. 127-131, incorporated herein by reference. In particular, each sample was illuminated with monochromatic light from the quartz monochromator with a deuterium lamp source. The power of the incident light beam was 2-5·10⁻⁸ W. A negative voltage of −300 V was supplied to the sample substrate. A counter-electrode with the 4.5×15 mm² slit for illumination was placed at 8 mm distance from the sample surface. The counter-electrode was connected to the input of a BK2-16 type electrometer, working in the open input regime, for the photocurrent measurement. A 10⁻¹⁵-10⁻¹² amp photocurrent was flowing in the circuit under illumination. The photocurrent, I, was strongly dependent on the incident light photon energy hv. The I^(0.5)=f(hv) dependence was plotted. Usually, the dependence of the square root of photocurrent on incident light quanta energy is well described by linear relationship near the threshold (see references “Ionization Potential of Organic Pigment Film by Atmospheric Photoelectron Emission Analysis,” Electrophotography, 28, Nr. 4, p. 364 (1989) by E. Miyamoto, Y. Yamaguchi, and M. Yokoyama; and “Photoemission in Solids,” Topics in Applied Physics, 26, 1-103 (1978) by M. Cordona and L. Ley, both of which are incorporated herein by reference). The linear part of this dependence was extrapolated to the hv axis, and the Ip value was determined as the photon energy at the interception point. The ionization potential measurement has an error of ±0.03 eV. Table 1 lists the ionization potential value of Compound (2).

As understood by those skilled in the art, additional substitution, variation among substituents, and alternative methods of synthesis and use may be practiced within the scope and intent of the present disclosure of the invention. The embodiments above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Additional embodiments are within the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An organophotoreceptor comprising an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element on the electrically conductive substrate, the photoconductive element comprising: (a) a charge transport material selected from the group consisting of

where R₈ and R₉ are, each independently, H, a halogen, an alkoxyl group or an alkyl group; and (b) a charge generating compound.
 2. The organophotoreceptor according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductive element further comprises a second charge transport material.
 3. The organophotoreceptor according to claim 2, wherein the second charge transport material comprises an electron transport compound.
 4. The organophotoreceptor according to claim 1, wherein the photoconductive element further comprises a binder.
 5. An electrophotographic imaging apparatus comprising: (a) a light imaging component; and (b) an organophotoreceptor oriented to receive light from the light imaging component, the organophotoreceptor comprising an electrically conductive substrate and a photoconductive element on the electrically-conductive substrate, the photoconductive element comprising: (i) a charge transport material selected from the group consisting of

where R₈ and R₉ are, each independently, H, a halogen, an alkoxyl group or an alkyl group; and (ii) a charge generating compound.
 6. The electrophotographic imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photoconductive element further comprises a second charge transport material.
 7. The electrophotographic imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second charge transport material comprises an electron transport compound.
 8. The electrophotographic imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a liquid toner dispenser. 